Internet Marketing – Page 293

10 ways to make money doing nothing

Making money doing nothing…imagine that!

To be able to sit back, relax, put in no effort and still see the money coming in might sound like a fantasy, but there really are ways you can make money doing nothing.

Alright, we’re not promising you can earn a full-time income while you lay back on the sofa and watch TV all day, but there are ways to earn a bit of extra cash which require very little of you.

Read on for our 10 ways to make money doing nothing…

Bed testing – get paid to sleep on the job!
Get paid to queue
Get paid to download an app
Make money testing food
Make money listening to music
Make money house sitting
Make money by not wasting money
Make money waiting for deliveries
Make money being a friend – seriously!
Get cashback for shopping online

Bonus starter idea – Selling feet pictures

Dreaming of making money with minimal effort? Selling feet pictures might be your golden ticket. This effortless venture requires just a camera and your feet. There’s a surprising demand for such content, and FeetFinder is the hassle-free platform to cash in on this trend. Simply snap, upload, and let the platform do the rest. It connects you with eager buyers in a safe and anonymous environment.

No need to struggle with marketing or networking; FeetFinder’s dedicated community seeks out your content. Dive into this passive income stream and watch the earnings roll in with little to no effort on your part.

1. Bed testing

Can you imagine getting paid to sleep?

That really would be getting paid to do nothing.

And, unbelievably, some lucky so and so’s get to do just that!

Bed testers get to test out a whole range of beds, often luxury ones, and then report back on the night’s sleep they’ve had.

Unsurprisingly, it’s a pretty difficult job to get because of the competition for such a position, but there’s no harm in keeping your hopes up.

Most people were first introduced to the idea of being a bed tester after Hotel Chatter put out a call in 2006 for a professional to test their 25,000 beds.

If you’re looking for a bed testing job and are willing to brave the competition, keep your eyes on big companies which, for whatever reason, will have/need a lot of beds. It might be a hotel chain or a superstore like John Lewis, or look out for bed making companies themselves, particularly those who supply to hotels.

It’s not impossible to become a bed tester, so why not give it a go?

Could you imagine? Well, we can always dream (although, unlike some, we won’t be getting paid for it!)

2. Get paid to queue

Have you ever been told you don’t get paid to stand around and do nothing?

Well, here’s a job that actually pays you to do just that.

You can get paid to stand in queues (otherwise known as ‘line sitting’).

Not sure how it works?

Well, we’re sure you’ve seen the long queues as people wait in line to be the first to get their hands on the latest Apple product, even staying the night during relentless rain.

Chances are there’s some damp soul in those queues who would rather pay someone else to be sat there.

There are also people with work or family commitments who are eager to get the latest iPhone or the newly released concert tickets but are unable to. These people too may be willing to pay you for queuing for them.

Whilst popular in the US, not many people are aware of ‘line sitting’ in the UK so you may have to introduce the concept whilst you’re drumming up business.

You’d be able to set your own price, either at a fixed rate or an agreed amount per hour/half hour.

For example, you could charge a fixed rate of £100, or agree on £12 an hour.

The amount you make will depend on how much people are willing to pay and how often you get the work.

Advertise your services on Fiverr, Gumtree and on any social media platform you use.

Click here to find out more about getting paid to queue.

3. Get paid to download an app

How would you like to get a £5 Amazon voucher just for downloading an app onto your tablet or mobile?

All you have to do is keep the app active on an Android device for a week.

This is what MobileXpression offers.

It really is money for nothing.

If you like to earn for downloading apps you should also check out Nielsen Online Panel. You won’t get paid for downloading it, but you will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win up to £30,000 – so there’s potential to make a LOT of money doing nothing.

4. Make money testing food

Do you consider eating food a chore?

Thought not, which is why this next money maker really feels like a way to make money doing nothing.

Research companies employ food testers so that they can get views on their food products.

After tasting the food you’ll be asked for your feedback – this might be as part of a focus group or you might simply just have to give it a score in a questionnaire.

You’ll get a palette cleanser in between each food sample, such as a cracker and water, so you’re reader to go for the taste.

Tasting sessions last around an hour or two, but if you’re taking part in a focus group it may take slightly longer.

It’s a great way to supplement your income, with the potential to earn between £5-£55 depending on whether you’re just completing a questionnaire or if you’re taking part in a focus group.

Click here to find out more about getting paid to test food.

5. Make money listening to music

Another great way to make money doing nothing is to listen to music.

Ok, you have to review the music as well, but still, it’s a fun little money maker!

Slicethepie.com gives you the chance to earn money writing reviews of music produced by aspiring musicians who are trying to get their tunes out there.

It’s not a way to earn big money by any means; you’ll only be earning a few pennies per review. But if you like listening to music and giving feedback then a little bit of money is better than no money at all, right?

Click here to find out more about making money listening to music.

6. Make money house sitting

Imagine making money doing nothing whilst relaxing in a luxurious home?

That’s what house sitting can offer.

House sitting is a growing phenomenon, many people who own more than one house are away for long periods of time for business trips.

Such people often prefer to have a trusted house sitter take care of the house than leave it at the risk of burglars or squatters.

Often it might involve pet sitting, so if you’re an animal lover then looking after an adorable pooch or feline won’t feel like work at all.

It’s not a way to earn lots of money; pay for long-term house sitting starts at £10 a day. That said, it’s a good way to save on some of your day-to-day living costs – just think of how much you could save on rent, utility bills, food etc. whilst you’re house sitting.

Click here to find out more about house sitting.

7. Make money by not wasting money

This one might sound like a cheat, but really, not wasting money is doing nothing – and you can save a lot of money by doing this.

To begin with you can try to negotiate a little more in everyday life. Over time the little savings you can make by being frugal/cheeky will really add up and, at the end of the day, why pay more than you need to?

We have a great article here on how to save money by haggling. Check it out!

There really are two prices in the world – one for those who negotiate, and one for those who don’t. Find out more about making and saving money negotiating here.

Equally, there are plenty of ways many of us waste money which we could easily cut down on. For example, do you really need to buy that cleaning product or do you have products in your home that will do exactly the same job?

Do you need to buy the most expensive brand, or will a discounted brand be just as nice?

Are you shopping around for things like your current account or your energy bill? Or are you just accepting the prices you’re given?

Find out more about making money by not wasting money here.

And don’t forget to sell on and recycle things you no-longer need. For example, did you know you can get money for your old phone?

Don’t throw it away, find out how much you can make by reselling and recycling here.

8. Make money waiting for deliveries

This really is how to make money by just hanging around!

It’s similar to house sitting (it really is a form of ‘short term house sitting’) but it’s an easier and quicker way to earn money than staying in someone’s home for a long period of time.

We all dread those horrible time-windows given to us by delivery companies or the plumber when you need something fixed. Sometimes you really are expected to wait in the whole day!

Well, some people are willing to pay you to sit in their house and wait instead.

Pay can actually be quite good, you can earn between £8-£10 an hour, and you really are doing nothing but waiting!

One company that specialises in short term house sitting is Direct Sitters. You can apply to join their team, although they ideally look for people with a background in childcare or teaching. Also don’t forget to look out for potential jobs in places like Gumtree.com – you never know what kind of opportunity you might stumble across.

9. Make money being a friend

Yep, you really can earn money being a friend.

What does it involve, you ask?

Whatever the person wants! Some people want to be shown around an area, others want someone to go to the movies with, some want a workout buddy and some people even want a wingman!

To get started you should sign yourself up to Rent a Friend.

You don’t have to pay anything, only people looking for a friend have to pay to sign-up.

If someone likes your profile and wants you to be their friend, you can charge £5-£30 an hour for your time, so there is good money to be made.

It’s a really good way to make money doing nothing!

Click here to find out more about making money being a friend.

10. Get cashback

Cashback sites are such an easy and straightforward way to make money, but still so few people join them.

Basically, by joining a cashback site, you’ll get a bit of money back on everything you buy.

All you have to do is sign-up (absolutely free) and shop through the cashback site’s portal. It’s exactly the same as online shopping any other way, but they’ll be able to track where you make your purchase so both they and you can get paid for it.

Two of our favourite cashback sites are Top CashBack and Quidco, both of which are absolutely free to join. In fact, with Quidco you get a £10 cashback bonus when you make your first purchase!

You really are getting money just for shopping as normal – why wouldn’t you sign up?

Get Paid to Play with Lego

Get paid to play with lego…

LEGO enthusiasts now have the chance to make their dream job a reality and get paid for it!

LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester is on the hunt for a talented individual to become their new Master Model Builder – a coveted role that aims to inspire the next generation of builders while creating showstopping LEGO sculptures.

Potential candidates for the dream role will compete in an elite competition to determine Manchester’s best builder, held at The Trafford Palazzo, on Saturday 23^rd September.

What’s the job?

At LEGOLAND Discovery Centre

Participants will engage in a series of exciting speed builds and challenges to flaunt their skills set by Luke, the UK’s Mini Master Model Builder. The challenges will allow them to flex their LEGO abilities when constructing intricate structures under pressure.

The successful candidate will join the exclusive ranks, becoming the 35^th Master Model Builder – making it one of the rarest jobs in the world.

They will continue crafting brick-tastic displays in the attraction’s Miniland, with their creations sitting alongside the cobbles of Coronation Street and the Old Trafford stadium among many other LEGO masterpieces.

When they’re not crafting LEGO displays that wow visitors, the Master Model Builder will also be responsible for maintaining the existing awe-inspiring models, igniting imaginations through creative workshops and teaching visitors how to build their own wonderful creations.

How to Apply to get paid to play with lego

Games, Toys & Children's Vehicles

To become Manchester’s Master Model Builder and join the growing team, apply by Saturday 16^th September via this form here.

Potential candidates will be asked to submit a photo of their best LEGO build yet, before showcasing their skills in the competition at The Trafford Palazzo on Saturday 23^rd September, followed by a face-to-face interview.

The UK’s Mini Master Model Builder Luke, Operations Manager Matthew O’Connell, Marketing Manager Nathalie Eady, and the site’s General Manager Jenn McDonough will act as judges to decide which contestants will take on the job.

Jenn McDonough, General Manager at LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester said: “If you live and breathe LEGO, our Master Model Builder role will be your dream job! It’s a chance to get creative and play with LEGO all day and create showstopping structures, all while being paid!

“The right candidate will be passionate about all things LEGO and ready to take their building skills to the next level, with flair and a creative spark. They will also have impeccable attention to detail and a love for inspiring others through hosting creative workshops and advising guests.

“At LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester, our mission is to create unforgettable experiences for LEGO enthusiasts, and we want you to be a part of it. Don’t miss your opportunity to apply to be a Master Model Builder, submit your application and get practicing your brick building skills!”

If this appeals then read our guide on making money buying and selling lego here.

The post Get Paid to Play with Lego appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/get-paid-to-play-with-lego

Understanding the Role of a Game Designer in Poker

Home Business Magazine Online

Have you ever gotten so lost in a game that you forgot about time? Or wondered how that game even came into being? Who are the masterminds behind it? If you’re nodding right now, you’re in for a treat. Let’s dive deep into the world of game designers, the unsung heroes who shape our virtual escapes.

Back in the day, games were simple. Now? They’re epic sagas, intricate puzzles, and ever-evolving virtual realms. And guess what? The game design arena has transformed right alongside them!

The intricate world of game design can be likened to many things, but let’s use a deck of cards as our muse. If we shuffle and deal, we land squarely on poker, a card game with as many twists and turns as the meandering journey of game design itself. If you want to understand what are the rules in poker, you’ll have to explore the different poker variants. Let’s explore the role game designers played in the following popular poker games:

The Classic: Texas Hold ’em

Ah, Texas Hold ’em—the Beyoncé of poker games, if you will. It’s everywhere, from the glitzy casinos of Las Vegas to your Uncle Bob’s dusty garage. But what makes this game a classic? In essence, it’s the simplicity.

Each player on the table gets two private cards, and the dealer deals five community cards face-up. The goal is straightforward: make the best five-card hand and take home the pot.

But here’s where the designer’s genius comes into play. The simplicity of Texas Hold ’em is actually its most complex feature. Game designers have masterfully structured the betting rounds and community cards to create a landscape rich with strategy.

The game allows for intricate bluffs, calculated risks, and edge-of-your-seat excitement in every round. It’s like a roller coaster where the climbs and drops are your wagers and bluffs—a brilliant balance of risk and reward. No wonder it is popular in poker tournaments held globally.

Omaha: The Strategy Buff’s Paradise

If Texas Hold ’em is the classic rock of poker, then Omaha is like progressive metal—complex, nuanced, and definitely not for the faint-hearted. At first glance, it seems similar to Texas Hold ’em, with community cards laid out in the middle. But here’s the catch: You get four private cards instead of two. Sounds easier, right? Think again. You must use exactly two from your hand and three from the community pile to make your best five-card hand.

This is where the role of game designers shines through. They took the familiar structure of Texas Hold ’em and added a twist, complicating your choices and intensifying the level of strategy.

The complexity in Omaha lies in the plethora of hand combinations available, making it a dream come true for players who love crunching probabilities and devising advanced tactics. Game designers focused on building layers of complexity, making it an evolving puzzle that beckons you to solve it hand after hand.

Seven-Card Stud: A Blast from the Past

Ah, the vintage charm of the Seven-Card Stud! It’s like the vinyl records of poker—rich in tradition and something of a collector’s item for seasoned players. Before Texas Hold ’em swayed the crowd, Seven-Card Stud was the game everyone was talking about. Here, there are no community cards; instead, you’re dealt seven individual cards, three facing down and four facing up for all to see.

Now, why would anyone want to play a game that shows most of their hand? That’s where the clever craftsmanship of game designers comes in. Seven-Card Stud is a game of keen observation and patience, qualities that are often overshadowed in flashier, faster-paced games.

Designers of this classic have kept the old-school charm intact while highlighting the importance of reading your opponents rather than just your cards. The exposed cards serve as a public narrative, while your hidden cards offer a plot twist, making each game a riveting story told one card at a time.

Five-Card Draw: The Poker Essence

Let’s step back a bit and go old school with Five-Card Draw. If poker were a tree, this game would be one of its deepest roots. Many of us first learned about poker through this straightforward game. You get five cards, you keep some or all, you draw new ones to replace what you discard, and that’s it—no community cards, no shared pots, just you against the odds.

In a world where poker games often come with a bunch of bells and whistles, Five-Card Draw is refreshing in its simplicity. And that’s precisely the genius of its game design. Designers have managed to come up with a game that captures the essence of poker without all the extra layers.

In doing so, they’ve made a form of the game that’s accessible to newcomers while still offering enough depth to keep seasoned players interested. It’s like the “comfort food” of poker, satisfying and familiar, showing us that sometimes less is indeed more.

Conclusion

In the ever-evolving realm of gaming, designers are both pioneers and visionaries. Those eager to leave their mark should remain agile and committed to lifelong learning in this vibrant landscape.

The post Understanding the Role of a Game Designer in Poker appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/lifestyles/success-lifestyles/understanding-role-game-designer-poker/

Ai-powered Online Fashion Hub Kollectin.com Is turning Mompreneurs and Other Aspiring Micro-business Owners into Digital Divas

Home Business Magazine Online

The pitch is pretty powerful: “Start your fashion business with no overhead, no barriers, just possibilities.” Scroll the Kollectin.com site further and you’ll see not just opportunities to shop or sell like other fashion sites, but a call-to-action to open your own digital storefront. In minutes. With no inventory. Let me explain…

It all starts with the vision of lifelong serial entrepreneur and successful fashion SheEO Nadia Lee. In the late Nineties, before online shopping was “a thing,” the LA-based Lee found success with her jewelry brand Adia Kibur. Her innate sense of style and business acumen inspired her to create a brand featuring designs that combined quality, affordable price points and what was trending into a rapidly expanding enterprise that is today carried in over 5,000 retailers ranging from small boutiques to national notables like Neiman-Marcus and Nordstroms.

Even with the success she was enjoying with her jewelry business, by 2018, Lee was ready to launch her next venture, Kollectin.com. Driven by her desire to disrupt the online retail space while simultaneously empowering women with an easy on-ramp business model, she went on to create something decidedly different than the standard online storefront or brick-and-mortar play. Indeed, beyond blouses, denim, swimwear, jewelry and other fashion finds, part of Kollectin’s business DNA is to serve as a vehicle to bring other women—particularly aspirational entrepreneurs—along for the ride, including profits.

“Our data shows women want to be entrepreneurs, they want to sell stuff, especially fashion—but what stops them is start-up money,” says Lee. “I wanted to tap into that mindset and give them the space to give it a try by creating a simple, easy tool for women to access current technology, source products, and not worry about backend issues like customer service and shipping.”

A New Fashion Business Model

The new approach Lee developed for Kollectin.com leverages person-to-person social selling and influencer marketing. She dubs it a “B2B2C” model where site visitors discover and purchase from trusted collections by emerging brands as well as influencers who curate their own Kollectin collections. By breaking down traditional barriers between buyers and sellers, the app streamlines the fashion discovery process, making it easier for buyers to find their preferred fashion items and for sellers to expand their customer base. A classic win-win.

“We want the people to determine what sells,” says Lee. “Back in the day, you would walk through a trade show, the buyer buys certain styles and that ends up in the boutique or store. So what’s on offer is curated by someone else.” On the Kollectin app, the community of sellers curates their own stores and the behaviors of their personal cohorts drives what the algorithms show to their shoppers.The way Kollectin’s B2B2C platform works is there are around 80 brands selling their own products as well as individual sellers who discovered the site on their own or were invited by a current user.

The process of going from a new visitor to an influencer and seller with a self-curated collection takes just a matter of minutes and involves only a few steps. First, they scan the QR code or directly download the app, then sign-up, which includes choosing a store name, uploading a store banner image and a few other steps. The site then gives the user a walk-through on how to build the store and pick the first six items from the approximately 6,500 SKUs available at any given time. The new seller’s store then goes live with a dedicated URL and QR code ready to be shared on social networks or IRL.

Lee says she’s seen many Mompreneurs hit the ground running with the platform, doing activations like livestreams from their socials where they wear and share outfits with their cohorts and others. By simultaneously posting the unique URLs of their store and the outfits, shoppers can then buy in three clicks.

Another powerful networking feature that Lee built into the platform is a gamified profit-sharing model where sellers can earn income from not only their sales, but from the sales of their circle of customers—called cohorts—who have decided to become sellers themselves. The app uses a sliding scale that begins at the 5 to 10 percent range of sales and increases with the number of people a certain user shares the product links with. Lee says that power sellers who actively share can regularly earn over a thousand dollars through the sales of their cohorts alone.

Harnessing the Power of Ai

Beyond the human connections the app facilitates, Kollectin also harnesses the novel and sweeping power of Ai that is now so prevalent in a wide range of industries. For both customers and sellers on the app, Ai is used extensively to upgrade interactions and extend the utility of multiple functions. On the seller’s side, Kollectin offers a chatbot that essentially serves as a 24/7 assistant (that never calls in sick).

For example, if a buyer has a return, the chatbot will instruct them how to complete the return, rather than the seller having to manage the interaction. With all the data being collected by the app (which is kept private), the Ai chatbot also becomes a powerful sales and recommendation tool with its ability to pull selections that are very specific to a shopper’s preferences.

On the buyers’ side, the chatbot replicates a conversational tone, guiding the shopper through the entire customer journey. It will initiate the conversation with a question about what the customer is looking for. If they say something like “an outfit for a beach party with warm weather,” the chatbot will drill down to more specifics, asking about patterns and lengths. After a few more questions, the chatbot will generate six recommendations, including descriptions and images. If the shopper likes what she sees, a click will take them directly to check-out, not some affiliate link.

“We’re the first to close the loop,” says Lee. “You have a conversation with the chatbot, see the images and discover the designs you like, then press and checkout all in one place, without going to another link.”

By bridging the gap between obstacles and opportunity with a powerful, tech-driven solution, Nadia Lee with her Kollectin.com app has found a way to shape the fashion industry with an innovation uniquely designed to empower the entrepreneurial spirit of women.

The post Ai-powered Online Fashion Hub Kollectin.com Is turning Mompreneurs and Other Aspiring Micro-business Owners into Digital Divas appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/success-stories-lifestyles/ai-powered-online-fashion-hub-kollectin-turning-mompreneurs-aspiring-micro-business-owners-digital-divas/

How to make money selling photos of yourself

Selling photos of yourself can be a great way to make extra money. With mobile phone cameras getting better and better every year, it is no surprise we take more photographs of ourselves than ever. In particular, ‘selfies’, which are self-portrait style photographs taken with a mobile phone, are the most popular mode of taking photographs.

As of January 2021, there were 53 million active social media accounts within the UK. This is equal to 77.9 per cent of the population having a social media account. There is no surprise, then, that Britons take their own picture a whopping 1.2 billion times a year in total.

We all take pictures of ourselves, whether it is to share them on social media or send to friends and family. But what if you could make money from the photos you take of yourself? It is entirely legal, and a legitimate way to make some extra cash.

Selling feet pictures
Sell your photos as stock images
Try your hand at modelling
Take some headshots
Become a social media influencer
Tips to take good photos

Selling feet pictures

An interesting way to make money selling photos of yourself is by tapping into the niche market of feet pictures. While it may sound unconventional, there’s a significant demand for such content, and it doesn’t require any specialized skills.

FeetFinder is the premier platform for this unique venture. Designed to connect sellers with a targeted audience of buyers, FeetFinder offers a secure and anonymous environment for transactions. You can set your own prices and benefit from the platform’s growing user base, significantly increasing your earning potential. With its focus on safety and user experience, FeetFinder stands out as the best platform for monetizing feet photos.

Sell stock images

Stock images are those which are supplied for specific uses and are often licenced. They are made available to those who pay a fee, which goes directly to the artist who produced the images. The host website, which displays the photos, will also take a small cut of the fee.

Most often, stock images are produced for editorial use, appearing in newspapers, magazines, online and even on the television. There are plenty of websites available for you to upload your photos onto in order to make some extra cash.

Shutterstock:

Perhaps one of the most well-known stock image providers, Shutterstock have paid out over $1 billion to their contributors in the past 15 years. As a shutter stock contributor, you will receive between 15 and 40 per cent of the total price Shutterstock receives when your content is downloaded by other users. Your commission is based on the number of downloads your photos receive.

iStock:

Owned by Getty Images, iStock is used by 1.5 million users in 200 countries globally. You can apply to be an iStock contributor in three easy steps. Once completed, you will be able to start earning commission.

Adobe Stock:

Adobe is a name known by millions of internet users. You earn 33% of all royalties for every photo you sell. The more photos you upload, the more earning potential you have on the website.

Here are a few more of the best stock image websites to consider:

Try your hand at modelling

Modelling is one of the most obvious ways to make money from photos of yourself. It may seem a silly idea, but you don’t have to look like Kate Moss to try modelling. In fact, many modelling agencies want to find people of all different shapes and sizes to model for them.

You may not have considered modelling previously, but you may be just what a certain company or agency are looking for. There are also a huge number of different types of modelling, from catalogue to advert modelling. There are also many agencies in search of hand and foot models, and even hair models!

We have previously written an article all about modelling and how you can get yourself scouted. Read it here.

Take some headshots

It may seem farfetched, but if you have ever fancied getting into acting, or becoming an extra for film and television, getting some headshots taken is the place to start.

A headshot is an actor’s brand and can help them market themselves in the entertainment industry. It is key to helping actors secure auditions. Plus, having a visual image of yourself can help others remember you for future work. Although you will not make money from the photo itself, it will help you make money down the line.

We understand acting may not be for everyone. But even if you don’t fancy the spotlight yourself, you can make money as an extra. Whilst filming, TV shows and movies are always on the lookout for people to help out. Plus, the pay can be pretty good for an easy and fun days’ work. Plus, it can be a great experience and a chance to meet new people!

Rates of pay vary across the UK, but there are three main agreements used in and around London when it comes to paying extras. It is always a good idea to check with the production team beforehand, but here are the three main pay agreements:

The FAA/PACT Agreement

The rate is £92.69 for a 9 hour work period including a meal break, between the hours of 7am and 10pm.

The BBC Equity Agreement

£86.40 for a continuous 9 hour period, including up to 8 hours of work and a meal break of at least an hour. Or, a 7 hour continuous period without a meal break.

ITV Equity Agreement

£79.89. Up to 10 hours, during which up to 8 hours of work may take place. Not required to give any individual characterisation or dialogue.

As mentioned, guidelines vary across the UK and between production companies, but it gives you a rough guideline. Plus, there are many opportunities to earn extra money on set, such as working night-time hours or bagging yourself a small amount of dialogue. Plus, if you have a special skill, such as horse riding, dancing or being able to drive, you may be paid more.

We have previously written a thorough and helpful guide all about how to become a film and TV extra. You can read it here.

Become a social media influencer

It may seem like a long shot, but becoming an online influencer can make you plenty of money. An influencer is someone who has a certain level of influence online. They may have a large number of ‘followers’, people who subscribe to them, engage with their content or even look up to them.

Brands and companies use influencers to help them promote or advertise their products and services to their audiences. Some influencers may be paid a set fee for doing a post, whereas others may be paid commission for every sale made as a result of their promotion.

Although it may seem difficult to become an influencer, a new brand of ‘micro-influencers’ is on the rise. A micro-influencer is someone with 3,000 followers or more. This means you don’t have to have millions of followers to start earning money from photographs of yourself.

According to Tribe, micro-influencers can earn anywhere from £50 to £250 per sponsored post. A photograph of yourself holding a product or a short video discussing the benefits of a product could earn you a nice little income.

But how can you grow your social media influence? Pick a niche, start posting, and begin to engage with other accounts similar to your own. It is all about networking and creating new contacts online. Once you start to gain a small following, you can reach out to brands and companies and ask them about a working relationship. You will be surprised at how many brands are willing to work with smaller influencers, particularly small and local brands.

Tips to take good photos

Of course, to make decent money it is imperative the photographs taken are of the best quality possible. Luckily, you do not have to be a professional photographer to begin selling your photos, and many mobile phone cameras take beautiful, high quality images.

There are also plenty of helpful guides and tips online to help you take beautiful photos on your phone. The School of Photography suggests a few ways to ensure you get the best photos possible via your smartphone. These tips include taking multiple shots, use good lighting, and natural lighting where possible, and using editing tools to help transform the photos your capture.

It is also a good idea to have a play around with the camera you are using, whether it be your mobile phone or a digital camera. This will help you understand how the camera works, any settings you can change and different modes to help you capture the perfect shot.

So, why not try your hand at photography and make money selling photos of yourself? You may be surprised at how much extra cash you can make!

B&M to buy 51 Wilko stores

B&M buy 51 Wilko stores

Retail giant B&M has agreed to buy 51 stores from Wilko administrators – for a whopping £13 million. A previous bid from M2 Capital – who previously bought HMV stores – fell through last week, leaving many worried. It’s believed this deal – to buy up to 300 of the spaces – collapsed due to Wilko’s debts to suppliers.

However, now retail park favourite B&M has announced they will be taking over more than 50 stores across the UK, with more details on opening dates to come alongside B&M’s half-year financial results this November.

B&M currently runs a staggering 1,150 stores across the UK and in France, and the purchased Wilko stores are expected to rebrand as B&M.

Currently, it is unknown what will happen to the remaining Wilko stores. HMV owner Doug Putman is still in talks to take over some stores, however there is an anxious wait for thousands of Wilko employees currently facing redundancy. When the firm announced administration back in August, it employed over 12,500 people.

Just yesterday, almost 270 employees at the Wilko support centre lost their jobs in the company’s head offices.

It is still unknown which Wilko stores have been bought by B&M, and the locations are being kept under wraps. There is also much discussion being had about the location of the current stores. Wilko stores tend to be in town and city centres – beneficial for those without cars. However, most B&M stores are just out of these locations, in retail parks. So, will B&M create a new, inner-city mode of retail for themselves?

The sale of the 51 Wilko stores is believed to be enough to settle some of the current debt held by the business and will also be able to pay for staff wages and other business costs.

Here at MoneyMagpie, we will keep you in the loop with all the latest updates on this huge deal. As the discount giant B&M takes over a small chunk of Wilko stores, will other competitors step forward to snap up these locations?

The post B&M to buy 51 Wilko stores appeared first on MoneyMagpie.

Original source: https://www.moneymagpie.com/make-money/bm-to-buy-51-wilko-stores

Meta may remove ads on Facebook and Instagram for subscribers in Europe

Meta is reportedly considering paid versions of Facebook and Instagram that would ban ads in Europe.

The cost of the subscription and potential rollout date has not yet been confirmed by the company.

However, Meta will continue to offer free versions of its apps which will still serve ads regardless, according to the New York Times.

Why we care. Depending on user adoption, this could significantly affect brand reach and campaign performance. While an ad-free subscription service is currently under consideration for Europe, it may extend to the US in the future. Advertisers should closely watch this development as they may need to consider reallocating their ad spend to other platforms accordingly.

Why now? A Meta subscription service has been suggested in response to the European Union’s Digital Services Act, which comes into effect on 1 January 2024.

Under the new regulations, more onus is being put on large platforms that have more than 45 million regional users, such as Google and Meta, to:

Create a safer digital space.
Establish a level playing field for businesses.

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What has Meta said? The company has not commented on launching paid-for versions of Facebook and Instagram. However, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg hinted in 2018 when he appeared before the US Senate that such a product could be on the horizon. When asked if he would consider charging users for access to his apps to avoid ads, he said:

“There will always be a version of Facebook that is free.“

Then Meta COO, Sheryl Sandberg, added:

“We have different forms of opt-out. We don’t have an opt-out at the highest level. That would be a paid product.”

Deep dive. Read Meta’s statement on the DSA, issued by Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs, for more information.

The post Meta may remove ads on Facebook and Instagram for subscribers in Europe appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/meta-remove-ads-facebook-instagram-paid-for-subscription-431564

Google adds URL Contains targeting functionality to Performance Max

Google has launched the URL Contains targeting functionality on Performance Max.

The feature, which is also available on Dynamic Search ads (DSA), enables you to manually specify which URL to show your PMax ads to.

Here’s a preview of how to access the new tool on the platform, as shared by Google Ads expert Thomas Eccel on LinkedIn:

Explaining why this new feature could be super useful for advertisers, Eccel told Search Engine Land:

“Since a Pmax campaign with the Final Url expansion turned on can basically re-direct users on every URL possible (for example, to your blogs, about us page etc), non-monetizable pages should be excluded.”
“Now, with this new URL rule, I can tell PMax to only redirect users to pages that include them. For example ‘/shop’. Or if I run the PMax campaign for just one product category, let’s say Nike shoes, I can just include ‘/shoes’, for instance .”

Why we care. This feature provides marketers with more control over how their ads are served as you manually get to choose which tokens to target in order to reach a more specific and relevant audience for your brand.

How it works. You can use this functionality to target pages with URLs that contain a certain piece of text – also known as a “token”. Within URLs, a token is a piece of text surrounded by a limiter like “/” or ‘-” – among others.

This feature cannot be used in conjunction with URLs like “electronicsexample.com/servicesmenu/” because the word “menu” appears after the targeted keyword “services”. However, this feature can work for URLs like “electronicsexample.com/services-menu/” because the keyword “services” is separated from the word “menu” with the “-“. Other URL separators include:

“:”
“/”
“?”
“+”
“&”

What has Google said? A Google told Search Engine Land:

“This is a new feature rolling out for Performance Max.”
“We are bringing the same URL Contains targeting functionality from Dynamic Search ads (DSA) into Performance Max to better support DSA use cases in PMax as part of the voluntary upgrade we announced in July.”
“This feature works exactly as it does in DSA today.”

Deep dive. Visit the Google Ads Help Center for more information on the URL Contains in DSA.

The post Google adds URL Contains targeting functionality to Performance Max appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/google-url-contains-targeting-functionality-performance-max-431572

Innovative Platform Helping Schools, PTOs & Groups Raise More Money & Organize Better

Home Business Magazine Online

By Ashley-Victoria Smith

Getting kids ready back to school can be a very frustrating task especially knowing the financial burden that it has on many families. Not only do parents have to shop for school supplies, they also have to take in consideration buying new clothes and keeping the pantry well stocked.

Within a few days after sending kids to school, they are bringing home even more paperwork in regards to upcoming field trips, extracurricular activities, sports teams, and school clubs that all require a signature and maybe even registration fees.

While many schools still rely on traditional fundraising such as car washes, popcorn and cookie sales, and school swag all to help raise funds for the clubs, sport teams and not to mention the PTO also trying to raise funds for the school, can become really overbearing.

One platform that was developed specifically to solve these problems and is used by the largest PTA organizations in the US, Girl Scouts of America, and the American Heart Association is Cheddar Up.

Cheddar Up was designed specifically to help schools & group organizers collect payments and forms online, for free. Its purpose-built platform has the features group organizers need, including robust tracking and reporting, fundraising and ecommerce add-ons, messaging, forms, waivers, sign ups, point of sale, year-over-year hand off and more.

“Like so many schools, we have a lot of different types of family situations to accommodate. We have parents who both work, parents who are busy entrepreneurs, parents who stay home with multiple children across a wide age range. Everyone has a different lifestyle.” says Andrea Fraser, PTA Board Member & After-School Enrichment Coordinator. “So the goal was to make paying easy…allowing them to pay on-the-go from their mobile phones. Cheddar Up’s ability for parents to just “click and pay” without having to create an account or download an app while providing a great mobile interface fit that bill!” Fraser explains.

Organizers can create a page for anything in minutes offering communities seamless online payments they can make from anywhere; no instructions, app or account necessary.

The beauty of Cheddar Up is that it extends beyond educational purposes and can be used for church & youth groups, HOAs, events & festivals, and even small businesses.

“I liked that the platform allowed me to create my own payment pages with tons of flexibility” Kelly Hartman, Founder at Boss Ladies Referral Crew says.

“The ability to collect information along with payment has also been a gamechanger, like collect members name, preferences, etc.” Hartman continues.

So whether you’re prepping for back to school with the kids or looking to establish a more user-friendly platform for your business, Cheddar Up promises to deliver.

The post Innovative Platform Helping Schools, PTOs & Groups Raise More Money & Organize Better appeared first on Home Business Magazine.

Original source: https://homebusinessmag.com/businesses/business-spotlights/innovative-platform-helping-schools-ptos-groups-raise-money-organize/

4 top affiliate search partners to consider: A breakdown

Q4 is looming, and many brands are strategizing how to optimize their budgets to get more traffic to their products when buyer intent soars.

One humble suggestion from this longtime affiliate marketer: TM+ partners (also known as Trademark+ partners or affiliate search partners), who work with brands to bid on brand keywords to drive traffic to coupon or offer sites.

Despite what you may have heard, TM+ models are a no-risk model – the affiliate site pays for the click and gets paid by the brand when the ads lead to conversions.

To keep the guidelines clearly delineated, brands should give their affiliate partners a list of keywords approved by the search teams, with any other keywords off-limits to the TM+ partner to ensure both parties aren’t bidding against each other.

I work with a ton of affiliate search partners, but if you’re just getting your feet wet in this initiative, you should start with a short list of targets who can help you get traction.

This article covers four major partners – why I recommend them, their unique strengths, and when they might not make sense for your brand.

1. PromoCodesForYou

Brands that give PromoCodesForYou (PCFY) bidding rights to a keyword set have more of a chance to get picked up for organic inclusion in the portfolio of sites in Dotdash Meredith, PCFY’s parent company.

The portfolio is broad and includes publications like:

People
Travel + Leisure
Allrecipes
Food & Wine
EatingWell
InStyle
Shape
Better Homes & Gardens

Brands looking for added exposure to complement direct-response coupon campaigns have a potential gold mine with a PCFY partnership.

The flip side is that PCFY won’t work with just any brand (specifically, small, lesser-known ones aren’t going to be a fit here).

Their sweet spot is well-known brands, and their vetting process includes search volume (pulled from Google Ads) with aggressive volume minimums.

That said, if search volume is low but the brand offers a relatively high average order value, PCFY may be willing to run a test to see if the partnership has some sparks.

2. Offers.com

A relatively close second, Offers.com is a Ziff Davis company with the potential of added organic exposure on its portfolio of sites, which include:

Mashable
AskMen
PCMag
Everyday Health
BlackFriday.com
BestBlackFriday.com
TheBlackFriday.com

(The latter three are obviously great and relevant platforms for the holidays, getting over 60 million global sessions during the holiday season).

Offers.com isn’t as particular as PCFY about partnerships, so it could be an ideal starting point for small brands looking to build on their momentum.

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3. Slickdeals

This is the deal site that’s most frequently leveraged for clients who have a need for inventory liquidation.

With 69 million unique monthly visitors and a big consumer footprint during the holidays, Slickdeals is great for pushing heavily discounted products.

Working with the site as a TM+ partner means you’ll likely get comped on individual deal submissions, which you usually have to pay for.

Slickdeals is an ideal partner for brands with seasonal catalogs, which usually means there are inventory remnants to clear out for the next season’s line.

It’s not solely for low-priced or mid-priced products. I’ve seen a discounted watch that retailed for $6,000 sell out in a matter of minutes, and some of our high-end clients have seasonal products that have found a great audience on Slickdeals.

But if you’re a brand that’s careful about buying in reasonable quantities and have a limited and/or stable collection of products, you can skip this one and research other partners.

4. CouponCause

CouponCause is different. Its main selling point is a give-back component that encourages consumers to donate their savings to any of a group of partner nonprofits.

It’s a great partner for calendar events like Giving Tuesday, and it’s a natural fit for socially conscious brands who have built a name around doing good.

CouponCause is much more flexible with brand partners, so SMBs and startup brands looking to get awareness or increase sales velocity often start here.

Getting started

If you don’t have relationships with any of these partners, you can go through an affiliate agency (using a recommended vetting process) or dig up a list of contacts at the partner and do the outreach yourself.

Remember that these are partnerships, so you’ll need to create a compelling case for why the platform will benefit from bidding on your brand and product terms.

It bears repeating that when you do get traction, it’s a good idea to make sure your search team is in the loop since they may have reservations or caveats for the partner to address (as well as keywords they want to protect).

Managed well, TM+ partnerships are an added source of low-risk revenue and exposure that can help you maximize purchase intent in the coming months.

Even if you’re not sure you can act in time to catch the Q4 wave, start doing the legwork now – good deals are always in season.

The post 4 top affiliate search partners to consider: A breakdown appeared first on Search Engine Land.

Original source: https://searchengineland.com/top-affiliate-search-partners-breakdown-431502

Bonus starter idea – Selling feet pictures

1. Bed testing

2. Get paid to queue

3. Get paid to download an app

4. Make money testing food

5. Make money listening to music

6. Make money house sitting

7. Make money by not wasting money

8. Make money waiting for deliveries

9. Make money being a friend

10. Get cashback

What’s the job?

How to Apply to get paid to play with lego

The Classic: Texas Hold ’em

Omaha: The Strategy Buff’s Paradise

Seven-Card Stud: A Blast from the Past

Five-Card Draw: The Poker Essence

Conclusion

A New Fashion Business Model

Harnessing the Power of Ai

Selling feet pictures

Sell stock images

Try your hand at modelling

Take some headshots

The FAA/PACT Agreement

The BBC Equity Agreement

ITV Equity Agreement

Become a social media influencer

Tips to take good photos

Other useful articles:

1. PromoCodesForYou

2. Offers.com

3. Slickdeals

4. CouponCause

Getting started